What:  25th Annual Regional Artists Show, “Over Hill and Dale” Kentucky Derby Day with Kentucky fare,  and live racing broadcast.  Maplebrook School, Amenia, NY

When: May 2nd – June 7th  2009   Opening reception Saturday, May 2nd  5:00-8:00 PM

Where:  Maplebrook School, Route 22, Amenia, NY

Purpose:  Fine arts and student scholarships -- Admission:   Free

May 2nd Kentucky Derby Live Broadcast
&
“Over Hill and Dale” Art Show
Reception May 2 -- show runs to June 7

www.maplebrookschool.org

The 25th anniversary and annual art show, “Over Hill and Dale” at Maplebrook School will combine two great themes under one roof.
 
The show brings together over 150 works of art for sale by more than 30 regional artists. The show will feature work reflecting the natural beauty in our region from sweeping Hudson Valley landscapes, to flowers and rustic farmsteads.

Equestrian art will also be prominently featured with wonderful photographs and paintings of magnificent horses quietly feeding in pastures, and wildly running free. Work will include original framed oils, acrylics, watercolors, and photography. The “bin” sale will showcase unframed work by featured artists at much reduced prices.

The show’s featured artist is Terry Lindsey, well known equine artist from Dorset, Vermont. Her realist work features horse racing, jockeys, and other equine subjects.  During the racing season at Saratoga, her gallery displays her work and that of thirty other artists.
  
Local artists’ work include Amanda Epstein, Pieter Lefferts, Judy Reynolds, Michael Spross, Tilly Strauss, Susan Dorazio, Jack Neubauer, Tarryl Gable, Jim Adair, Berkshire artists Josie Janssen, Keith Davidson and many others.
 
This year’s opening will be quite exciting for attendees as it coincides with the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, the most exciting “two minutes in sports.” In addition to the equestrian art, samples of traditional Kentucky Derby foods will be one of the main features, This includes, Burgoo, a mixed vegetable and meat stew, made with squirrel and other wild game in the old days, Kentucky Hot Browns, a open faced turkey and bacon sandwich with Mornay sauce, country ham from Kentucky, Derby Nut pie, a concoction of walnuts or pecans and chocolate, and Benedictine, a green colored cucumber based dip.

Real Mint Juleps, pomegranate spritzers, and wine will be served. A live broadcast of the race will be shown in the theatre where both premium and free seating is available.  A modified form of gaming will allow the audience to “place their bets”. 

After the race, jockeys Rodney Markgraf and Christine Clayton will give a brief talk entitled “The Life of a Jockey: A Glimpse into the Racing World from a Jockey’s Perspective.” Both have raced at Belmont, Aqueduct, Meadowlands and other east coast venues. They will be available to discuss horse racing and answer questions. Equestrian related items will be on display including Seabiscuit memorabilia and the Salisbury Band will be playing ”My Old Kentucky Home.”
 
Proceeds from the show benefit needs based and fine arts scholarships for Maplebrook students.  Over the years, annual art shows and sales have raised over $300,000 to benefit Maplebrook.

Maplebrook School is an independent, coeducational boarding/day school for students between the ages of 11 and 22 with learning differences and Attention Deficit Disorder.  Established in 1945, Maplebrook has an ungraded curriculum that focuses on individual learning styles in all areas of instruction albeit academics, social skills and/or vocational training.  Provided is a warm and caring, homelike atmosphere, with a full range of enrichment activities that include the arts and athletics. 

According to Lawrence Davis-Hollander, Special Events Coordinator, ”We are showcasing the connection our local artists have with their natural environment and the role that the beauty of our Hudson-Berkshire region plays in all our lives. This year we add a little spice, and present another unique  and specialized cultural environment--- that of Kentucky, horses, and  horse racing. Come and enjoy some Kentucky specials!”

www.maplebrookschool.org